Race

Lois, an Aboriginal woman, claims she was evicted from her tenancy in a regional town on the basis of racially-motivated complaints by her neighbour.  She said that she was not given an opportunity to respond to these complaints.

She made a complaint of race discrimination against her housing authority.

In the meantime Lois' lawyer put submissions to her housing authority that the neighbour's complaints could not be substantiated.

Lucetta lodged a complaint on behalf of her daughter Rihanna, who attended a suburban school.  Lucetta alleged that Rihanna was asked repeatedly by teachers to remove her necklace, despite other students wearing jewellery within view.  She alleged that this inconsistent application of uniform policy amounted to discrimination on the ground of race.

Lucetta subsequently removed her daughter from the school.

Jack, an interstate business visitor to Adelaide, said that when he bought a coffee at city café a piece of paper was left on his saucer "flat white: pommy c__t".

Graham, the café-owner, was apologetic.  He told the Commission that the comment referred to himself and not Jack.

Michelle, an Aboriginal teacher, said she was not served in a large regional supermarket.  When she complained to the manager, the shop assistant said, "I couldn't see her because of the colour of her skin".  Michelle said this was witnessed by a non-Aboriginal colleague.  Michelle was quite distressed and went back into the store to follow up with the manager, but did not feel the matter was properly dealt with.

Helen, an Aboriginal woman, applied to a finance company in a large regional town for a $4,000 personal loan towards a car.  The loan was approved over the phone.